FBI Director Kash Patel faced sharp criticism from Senator Peter Welch on Tuesday over his handling of the investigation into the recent killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Speaking to reporters, Welch said Patel “blew it,” accusing him of prioritizing self-promotion over effective coordination with local law enforcement. “He was more focused on promoting himself than cooperating with local authorities, who I think did a really good job,” the Democratic senator told CNN.

Welch went further, saying Patel “is not up to the job,” and blamed him for creating confusion during a sensitive probe. “There should be coordination and cooperation,” he said. “What we saw was an overreach — and it looked personal.”

Patel appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, where questions about the investigation into Kirk’s death dominated the session.

Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on September 10 during a student Q&A event at Utah Valley University in Orem. The shooting took place just after noon.

Tyler James Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, was arrested shortly after following a large-scale manhunt. He faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated murder, and is expected to appear in court on Tuesday. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox suggested the suspect may have been driven by political ideology, telling NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday that Robinson had “clearly leaned left” in recent years, according to people close to him.